Hydraulic gun system

ABSTRACT

A plurality of high pressure guns connected with a common fluid source for directing high pressure fluid outwardly wherein one gun can be shut down without effecting the operability of the remaining guns, each of the guns including a gun housing with a nozzle and exhaust line attached therewith, valve means in the gun housing for directing fluid through the nozzle or exhaust line and velocity reduction and flow restriction apparatus mounted in the exhaust line to exhaust fluid therefrom at reduced velocity while maintaining pressure at the fluid source.

United States Patent [1 1 Goss et al. Apr. 9, 1974 HYDRAULIC GUN SYSTEM 3,022,015 2/1962 Burch 239/444 [75] Inventors Jo 058; Joh ac 3,559,891 2/1971 Lledberg et al 239/443 f H t T both 0 (ms 9 ex Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. [73] Assignee: American Aero Industries, Inc., Assistant E i Mi h 1 Y, M Ho to Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pravel, Wilson & Matthews [22] Filed: Oct. 25, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 300,848 7 ABSTRACT A plurality of high pressure guns connected with a common fluid source for directing high pressure fluid [52] US. Cl 239/302, 137/609, 22339475425 outwardly wherein one g can be Shut down without [5]] Int cl Bosh 1/16 effecting the operability of the remaining guns, each [58] Fieid 396 397 of the guns including a gun housing with a nozzle and 239/443 446 1 1 exhaust line attached therewith, valve means in the gun housing for directing fluid through the nozzle or [56] References Cited exhaust line and velocity reduction and flow restriction apparatus mounted in the exhaust line to exhaust UNITED STATES PATENTS fluid therefrom at reduced velocity while maintaining 3,128,791 4/1964 Haessler et al. 239/444 X ressure at the fluid source, 2,342,050 2/1944 Hurst 239/444 X p 2,554,200 5/ 195l Loepsinger 239/446 7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures HYDRAULIC GUN SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, the letter S generally desig- The field of this invention is the operation of multiple 5 natcs a hydraulic power system that includes an engine high pressure guns. I

It is frequently desirable to use a plurality of high pressure blasting guns that powered by the same hydraulic power system, which may be similar to the hydraulic power system disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,335,962.

When using multiple guns, each operator of a gun encounters numerous occasions when he must shut the gun down temporarily. In the use of such multiple guns, the shutting down of one gun caused it to whip around dangerously if the full line pressure was maintained so as to operate the other guns, or alternatively, if the pressure at the shut down gun was reduced, the output pressure of the entire hydraulic power system was reduced below an effective range for the other guns. Under either alternative, the operation of multiple guns from a single power source was difficult, and usually impossible, from a practical standpoint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to new and improved high pressure guns for use with a single hydraulic power source wherein one of the guns can be shut down without affecting the operation of the other guns. Each high pressure gun generally comprises a gun housing which includes a nozzle for directing fluid outwardly at a high pressure and an exhaust line for dumping fluids at a lower, safer pressure. Valve means are mounted within the gun housing for directing fluid flow through the nozzle or the exhaust line; and, velocity reduction and flow restriction means are mounted in the exhaust line to substantially maintain fluid pressure at the hydraulic power source while exhausting fluid through the exhaust line at a reduced velocity. In this manner, one or more of the plurality of such high pressure guns can be temporarily shut down while maintaining pressure in theline of the hydraulic power system so that the remaining guns are operable. The velocity reduction means of this invention reduces the velocity of the fluid flowing through the exhaust line such that the gun will not fly about if the operator should leave it unattended.

In one aspect of this invention, the valve means for the gun housing includes separate nozzle valve means and exhaust valve means for controlling the flow through the nozzle and exhaust line. The nozzle valve means and the exhaust valve means are operably connected to a trigger assembly that is continually urged to a released position wherein fluid is dumped through the exhaust line at reduced velocity while operating pressure from the hydraulic power source is maintained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a partially schematic view of the preferred embodiment of this invention wherein two high pressure guns are operated by a common hydraulic power system; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a high pressure gun housing with the valve means of this invention positioned to direct fluid outwardly at high pressure.

0 guns may be used to direct the hydraulic fluid outwardly at a very high pressure for purposes of scouring or cleaning objects. The hydraulic fluid provided by the common hydraulic pressure system is normally water at very high pressures, e.g., 5,000 to 10,000 psi. and higher, which cleans when directed outwardly through the guns G1 and G2 at such high pressures.

The guns G1 and G2 are designed to be secured by the operators against their shoulders so that high pressure fluid can be safely directed. toward the objects being cleaned. Each gun G1 and G2.basically includes a housing 10 having attached thereto a support conduit 110, which is connected with the flexible hose H through coupling 11a. A nozzle line 11 is connected to the housing 10 and has mounted thereon a nozzle 12 which directs the fluid outwardly from the nozzle line 11 at a very high pressure. An exhaust line 14 is attached to the housing 10 by means of a coupling 14a to provide for the dumping of the hydraulic fluid outwardly at a safer, lower pressure whenever desired. A valve means generally designated as 15 (FIG. 2) is mounted in the housing 10 of each of the guns G1 and G2 for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid through the nozzle line 11 and the exhaust line 14.

A trigger assembly generally designated as T is operably connected to the valve means 15 and is movable between an actuated position wherein fluid is directed outwardly of the nozzle 12 and a released position (in phantom lines in FIG. 2) in which fluid is dumped through the exhaust line 14. Velocity reduction means 16 and flow restriction means 17 are mounted within thehousing 10 and exhaust line coupling 14a to reduce the velocity of the fluid dumped through the exhaust line 14 while maintaining operating. pressure in the flexible hose H such thatone gun such as G1 is operable even though another gun such as G2 is shut down.

Each of the guns G1 and G2 are provided with a shoulder brace 18 and a hand grip 19 such that the guns can be safely manipulated by the operators. A handle 20 and a support bracket 20a, which is attached with the exhaust line coupling 14a, is: mounted into the housing 10 so that the trigger assembly T can be easily manipulated. y

The valve means 15 includes a nozzle valve means generally designated as 21 mounted in the housing 10 within a bore 22 which is the fluid communication with the support conduit 1 10 by means of passages 10a and 10b. The bore 22 is in fluid communication with the nozzle line 11 through nozzle line coupling 11d. An exhaust valve means 23 is mounted in bore 24 of housing 10 below the nozzle valve means and is in fluid communication with bore 22 through passage 100. The bore 24 of exhaust valve means 23 is in fluid communication with the exhaust line 14 through flow restriction means 17 and velocity reduction means 16.

The nozzle valve means 21 and exhaust valve means 23 have substantially identical valve elements and thus like numbers and letters will be used to describe like parts.

The nozzle valve means 21 includes a valve seat 21a mounted within bore 22 by nozzle line coupling 11d and having an O-ring seal 21g therewith. Similarly, the exhaust valve means 23 includes a valve seat 23a which is mounted in the bore 24 by the exhaust line coupling 14a and has an Oring seal 23b mounted therewith. Cylindrical main valve elements 26 are slidably mounted within the bores 22 and 24 and pilot valves 21c are mounted for slidable movement within main valve elements 26 and housing bores 22 and 24. For each of the valve means 21 and 23, the pilot valve 21c includes a rod portion 2le that extends through housing openings d. An O-ring seal 10e mounted at each housing opening 10d sealingly engages the rod portion 2le of the pilot valves such that each pilot valve is mounted for slidable, sealable movement with respect to housing opening 10d. Each pilot valve 21c has a polygonal (four-sided) head 21f that is slidably mounted in bore 26a of main valve 26. A pilot valve limit ring 21g separates the rod portion 212 and the head 21f and includes front shoulder 21h and rear shoulder 21i.

Bore 26a of each main valve 26 is cylindrical such that fluid can pass between polygonal pilot valve head 21 f and bore 26a. An opening 26b in fluid communication with bore 26a is provided in each main valve 26. Nose 21 j for pilot valve 21c is adapted for insertion into opening 26b against bore front wall 26a. The main valve 26 further includes a rear, annular face 260 and a front end portion designated as 26d adapted for seating against seats 21a and 23a. Each main valve 26 includes a by-pass portion 26e of reduced diameter that is joined to outside wall portion 26f by shoulder 26g. The diameter of outside wall portion 26f is less than the diameter of bores 22 and 24 so that fluid can pass therebetween.

Thus the valve elements 210 and 26 for the nozzle valve means 21 and for the exhaust valve means 23 are basically identical in structure and are movable between open and closed positions. The nozzle valve means 21 is illustrated in the open position and the exhaust valve means 23 is illustrated in the closed position. The nozzle valve means 21 is movable to the closed position of the exhaust valve means 23 and conversely, the exhaust valve means 23 is movable to the open position of the nozzle valve means 21.

The trigger assembly T includes a trigger element 30 that is pivotally mounted on housing section 10g by means of pin 30a. The trigger element 30 is movable between an actuated position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2 and a released position illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 2.

The trigger assembly T further includes an actuator arm 31 that is pivotally mounted on housing section 10g by pin 31a. A tab 31b is formed integrally with or welded to the arm 31 so as to project downwardly behind the trigger element 30. An adjustable contact screw 310 extends through the lower portion of the actuator arm 31 to contact the pivot valve rod portion 212. A recess is provided between actuator arm surface 31d and the tab 31b for receiving end portion 30b of the trigger element 30. An adjustable contact screw 312 extends through an upper portion of the arm 31 into engagement with rod portion 2le of the pilot valve 210. The contact screw 312 is locked in place by a locking set screw 31f. Similarly, the contact screw 31c mounted in the lower portion of the actuator arm 31 is locked in position by a locking set screw 31g.

Whenever the trigger element 30 is moved by an operator to the actuated position, the actuator arm 31 is pivoted clockwise to cause the main valve element 26 for the exhaust valve means 23 to seat against seat 23a and pilot valve 21c to seat in main valve bore 26a thereby closing off flow into exhaust line 14. The clockwise movement of the actuator arm 31 further allows the main valve element 26 and pilot valve 21c of the nozzle valve means 21 to be moved to the open position by fluid pressure.

Fluid pressure in bore 22 of the nozzle valve means 21 serves to continually urge the nozzle main valve 26 and the nozzle pilot valve 210 to the open position. Pressurized fluid constantly acts against front shoulder 21h and nose shoulder 21n and rear shoulder 21m of the pilot valve 21c. Since the area of nose shoulder 21n and front shoulder 21h is greater than the area of rear shoulder 21:, the pilot valve 21c is continually urged to the open position. Therefore, when the actuator arm 31 is rotated clockwise, the pilot valve 21c of thenozzle valve means 21 moves to the open position shown.

As pilot valve 21c is moved toward the open position, the nose 2lj thereof is unseated from main valve end bore portion 26a. The unseating of pilot valve nose 21 j allows flow between the main valve outside surface 26f and bore 22, into main valve bore 26a and outwardly through opening 26b. But, due to the reduced flow area between the main valve surface 26f and bore 22, the fluid flowing therebetween is throttled to a lower pressure. The exertion of higher pressure fluid against outside shoulder 26g overcomes exertion of lower, throttled fluid pressure against main valve bore end 26a and rear end 260 and causes main valve 26 to move toward pilot valve 26c. When main valve bore end wall 26a is again seated against the nose 21 j of the pilot valve, the pressurized fluid acting against unseated, exposed main valve front end portion 26d holds the main valve 26 and pilot valve 210 in the open position shown. In this manner the fluid flows through the nozzle valve means 21 and nozzle line 1 1 and outwardly through the nozzle 12 at a very high pressure.

The trigger element 30 is continually urged to rotate counter-clockwise by means of coil spring 34. The coil spring 34 is mounted in a recess 10h in the housing 10 and extends into engagement with the lower portion of the actuator arm 31. The coil spring 34 is positioned in the recess 10h such that pilot valve rod portion 2le of the exhaust valve 23 is free to slide within the bore 24. When the trigger element 30 is rotated to the released position at 30 and the acutator arm 31 rotates counterclockwise, the set screw 31c moves the pilot valve 210 and main valve 26 of the nozzle valve means 21 to the closed position so that front end 26d is seated against seat 21a.

Even though the nozzle valve main element 26 is seated in the closed position, fluid by-passes reduced diameter portion 26c and thus fluid pressure continues within bore 24. The movement of the lower end of arm 31 counter-clockwise allows the fluid pressure in bore 24 to move the pilot valve 210 and main valve 26 of the exhaust valve means to rear wall 24a of bore 24 thereby opening the bore 24 so that the fluid flows outwardly through exhaust line 14. Fluid pressure in bore 24 acts to move the pilot valve 21c and main valve 26 of the exhaust valve means 23 to the open position just as the fluid pressure in bore 22 moves the elements 26 and 21c in nozzle valve means 21 to the open position. The diameter of the rod portion 212 of the pilot valve 210 for the exhaust valve means 23 is greater than the diameter of the pilot valve rod portion 2le of nozzle valve means 21. Thus, fluid pressure acting in bores 22 and 24 results in a continued urging of actuator arm 31 in a counter-clockwise direction of course, spring 34 also acts to urge arm 31 to a position wherein nozzle valve 21 is closed).

The flow restricting means 17 includes a flow restricting element 17a inserted into bore 14b of the exhaust line coupling element 14a. The flow restricting element 17a is seated against the valve seat 23a and is held in position by the velocity reduction means 16. Element 17a is sealably mounted with respect to bore 14b and includes an O-ring seal 17d. The flow restricting element 17 has a bore 17b therein which is hydraulically equivalent to the nozzle 12. The bore 17b includes an orifice portion 17c having a diameter substantially the same as the smallest diameter in the nozzle 12 so that the back pressure produced by the orifice portion 17c is substantially the same as the back pressure produced by the nozzle 12. f i

The velocity reduction means 16 includes a tubular member 16a mounted in the bore 14b of the exhaust line coupling element 14a. The tubular element 16a includes a bore portion 16b that is in fluid communication with the bore 17b of the flow restricting element 17a. A plurality of radially directed holes 160 are provided in the wall 16d of the tubular member so that fluid passing through the bore 16d is directed radially outwardly against the wall of the bore 14b of the exhaust line coupling element 14a. The deflecting of the high pressure fluid radially outwardly against the bore 14b reduces the velocity of the fluid prior to the fluid passing outwardly into the nozzle 14. In this manner, fluid flowing through the valve means 23 is passed outwardly through the nozzle line 14 at reduced pressure and velocity while the back pressure maintained in the flexible hole H is substantially the same as the back pressure produced by the nozzle 12.

In the operation and use of the guns G1 and G2 of the preferred embodiment of this invention, the operator of each gun G1 or G2 moves the trigger element 30 to the actuated position (FIG. 2) whenever it is desired to direct the high pressure fluid outwardly through nozzle 12 in order to clean or scour an object. With the trigger element 30 in the actuated position, the actuator arm 31 holds the exhaust valve means 23 in the closed position against the urging of spring 34 and fluid pressure as heretofore described and the nozzle valve means 21 is allowed to move to the open position, thus directing the fluid outwardly of the nozzle line 11 and nozzle 12 at high pressure.

Whenever an operator releases the trigger element 30, the urging of spring 34 moves the trigger element 30 to the released position (which can be designated at 30' in H6. 2). The pivoting of the actuator arm 31 by the trigger element 30 in a counterclockwise direction causes the actuator arm to close nozzle valve means 21 so that the fluid directed through the support conduit 1 bypasses the reduced portion 26e of the main valve element 26 for the nozzle valve means 21 and flows into the housing passage 100. The pressure of the fluid in bore 24 causes the exhaust valve elements 26 and 21 in bore 24 to move to the open position so that the fluid flows through the flow restricting element 17a. The passing of the fluid through the flow restricting element 17a serves to maintain a back pressure on the fluid in the flexible hose H that is substantially the same as the back pressure caused by the nozzle 12 when the fluid is flowing outwardly throughthe nozzle line 1 1. In this manner, one of the guns such as G1 can continue to operate even though the other gun G2 has been shut down by releasing the trigger element 30.

The exhausting fluid flows through the open exhaust valve means 23, through the flow restricting element 17a and into the bore 16d of the velocity reduction element 16a. The flow is then directed radially outwardly against the wall of bore 14b of the exhaust line coupling element 14a to reduce and dissipate the velocity thereof so that the fluid being dumped outwardly through the nozzle line 14 is dumped at a lower, safer pressure and velocity.

It should be understood that it is within the scope of this invention to use more than two of the hydraulic guns such as G1 and G2 with a common hydraulic power source S in such a manner that one or more of the guns may be shut down while leaving the remaining guns operable. Further, the guns G1 and G2 of the preferred embodiment of this invention may be used with any type of hydraulic power system which will provide hydraulic fluid under pressure. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the guns G1 and G2 direct high pressure water toward an object for cleaning. It should be understood that it is within the scope of this invention to use such guns G1 and G2 to direct various other types of high pressure fluids outwardly for other purposes.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A plurality of high pressure guns for directing high pressure fluid from a common fluid source, wherein each high pressure gun comprises:

a gun housing including a nozzle means for directing fluid from said source outwardly at a high pressure and an exhaust means for dumping said fluid at a .lower, safer pressure;

valve means mounted with said housing for controlling flow through said nozzle means and exhaust means; and

said exhaust means having velocity reduction means and flow restriction means mounted therewith to substantially maintain the operating pressure of said fluid source while exhausting fluid at reduced velocity.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said exhaust means includes a line in fluid communication with said valve means; and

said flow restriction means includes means positioned in said line for producing a back pressure at said fluid source substantially the same as the back pressure produced by the nozzle means whereby other high pressure guns remain operable while one of said high pressure guns is exhausting fluid.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said flow restriction means is an orificed member mounted with said exhaust means, said member having an orifice therein hydraulically equivalent to said nozzle means.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said velocity reduction means includes:

said exhaust means includes an exhaust line having a bore in fluid communication with said valve means; and

a tubular member having a passage and radial openings therein, said tubular member being mounted within said exhaust line whereby fluid being exhausted flows through said passage and radial openings and is deflected off the inside wall of said exhaust line bore whereby the velocity and pressure of the fluid being exhausted is substantially reduced.

5. The structure set forth in claim 1, including:

nozzle valve means mounted with said housing for controlling flow through said nozzle means;

exhaust valve means mounted with said housing in fluid communication with said nozzle valve means for controlling flow through said exhaust means; and

releasable actuator means operatively connected with said nozzle valve means and said exhaust valve means for directing fluid through said nozzle means, and resilient means urging said actuator means to a released position wherein said fluid is exhausted through said exhaust valve means.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said nozzle valve means is movable between an open position in which said fluid is directed through said nozzle means and a bypass position in which said fluid is directed to said exhaust valve means.

7. The structure set forth in claim 5, wherein: said exhaust valve means is movable between a dump position in which fluid flows through said exhaust means and a closed position wherein said exhaust means is closed to flow. 

1. A plurality of high pressure guns for directing high pressure fluid from a common fluid source, wherein each high pressure gun comprises: a gun housing including a nozzle means for directing fluid from said source outwardly at a high pressure and an exhaust means for dumping said fluid at a lower, safer pressure; valve means mounted with said housing for controlling flow through said nozzle means and exhaust means; and said exhaust means having velocity reduction means and flow restriction means mounted therewith to substantially maintain the operating pressure of said fluid source while exhausting fluid at reduced velocity.
 2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said exhaust means includes a line in fluid communication with said valve means; and said flow restriction means includes means positioned in said line for producing a back pressure at said fluid source substantially the same as the back pressure produced by the nozzle means whereby other high pressure guns remain operable while one of said high pressure guns is exhausting fluid.
 3. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said flow restriction means is an orificed member mounted with said exhaust means, said member having an orifice therein hydraulically equivalent to said nozzle means.
 4. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said velocity reduction means includes: said exhaust means includes an exhaust line having a bore in fluid communication with said valve means; and a tubular member having a passage and radial openings therein, said tubular member being mounted within said exhaust line whereby fluid being exhausted flows through said passage and radial openings and is deflected off the inside wall of said exhaust line bore whereby the velocity and pressure of the fluid being exhausted is substantially reduced.
 5. The structure set forth in claim 1, including: nozzle valve means mounted with said housing for controlling flow through said nozzle means; exhaust valve means mounted with said housing in fluid communication with said nozzle valve means for controlling flow through said exhaust means; and releasable actuator means operatively connected with said nozzle valve means and said exhaust valve means for directing fluid through said nozzle means, and resilient means urging said actuator means to a released position wherein said fluid is exhausted through said exhaust valve means.
 6. The structure set forth in claim 5, wherein: said nozzle valve means is movable between an open position in which said fluid is directed through said nozzle means and a bypass position in which said fluid is directed to said exhaust valve means.
 7. The structure set forth in claim 5, wherein: said exhaust valve means is movable between a dump position in which fluid flows through said exhaust means and a closed position wherein said exhaust means is closed to flow. 